Gestures and Greetings

Gestures

There are 5 common gestures in the world. According to Maximizing Study Abroad book. 

1.      In America this symbol seems to indicate as a hand signal the okay.

a.      This symbol in another country can symbolize something offensive for someone else.

b.      In fact, it means for Japan a sign of money. Belgium and France the number zero, and countries like Greece, Russia, and other countries as a sexual insult.

c.      In my host country it can be used to mean that you like something. 

2.      In America this symbol seems to indicate praying or even begging someone.

a.      This symbol in another country could have the same meaning.

b.      In fact, for some Asian countries it means Thank You.

c.      In my host country it means that they are begging you

3.      In America this symbol may mean an I don’t know in reference to something someone said.

a.      This symbol could also mean that one does not know what the other person is trying to communicate.

b.      Though in some countries it could mean like the Middle East and South America a sense of sincerity.

c.      In my host country it could mean ‘so what?’ when palms are facing up if there facing out it is I don’t know.

4.      In America this gesture may mean Good Job.

a.      In some countries I think it could mean something very offensive.

b.      For some countries it means almost the same thing but in Japan it could indicate the male gender or number five.

c.      In my host country it seems to be that it means the same. 

5.      In America this as seen as trying to get Good Luck as a means to show that they are trying to get lucky.

a.      In some countries I feel it does not mean anything but for some its something offensive.

b.      In fact, for other countries it means the same or friendship, but the only thing Turkey and Italy means broken friendship.

c.      For my host country it could mean good luck or friendship.

Eye Contact Survey

1.     Situation: Chatting with Friends:

a.      Personal preference would be not a whole lot but enough that one knows they are talking to you.

b.     In host country I would think that eye contact is important.

2.     Situation: Talking with a professor: 

a.      Personally, I would like eye contact but if we are talking about a project I don’t mind if there is not a whole lot.

b.     Host country I think that talking to a professor there should be a lot of eye contact.

3.     Situation: Interviewing for a job: 

a.      Personally, I would do a lot of eye contact not much looking away.

b.     I would think they would like a lot of eye contact though only looking away occasionally.

4.     Situation: Giving a presentation: 

a.      Personally, I would try to focus on key points around the crowd not to focused on a particular area.

b.     I would think there should be eye contact around the area as long it is around the crowd.

5.     Situation: Placing an order with a waiter:

a.      I don’t really give a lot of eye contact just the initial eye contact.

b.     I feel like it would be about the same just a bit more eye contact to make sure they hear me that I am talking to them.

6.     Situation: Talking to your father: 

a.      There is a lot of eye contact though not as much at times not at all.

b.     I feel like there would be a lot to make sure they are listening to you though probably not a lot.

Personal Distance Survey

1.     Chatting with friends:

a.      A minimum a foot of distance maybe closer depending on the friend but not further away.

b.     Around a foot of distance, I think at times closer more often than not.

2.     Talking with a professor: 

a.      I think anything between a 1 to 3 feet of distance nothing closer.

b.     I would feel that something between that 1 to 3 at times closer.

3.     Interviewing for a job:

a.      A good two feet at times keeping a distance.

b.     I feel that there is a good distance but not further than 4 feet.

4.     Giving a presentation:

a.      At times there should be a good 3 to 5 feet between the audience.

b.     There should be a good distance I think there would be like 3 to 5 maybe more.

5.     Placing an order with a waiter:

a.      There may be at least half a foot to a foot, so the waiter can hear your order.

b.     There probably is at least a foot of distance to hear what the order is.

6.     Talking to your father:

a.      It all depends on where we are there could be a lot of distance or very close depending on the situation.

b.     It could be very close around half a foot to even 5 feet to have a conversation.

Touching Behavior Survey

1.     Chatting with friends:

a.      I feel like there is only occasional touching.

b.     There are I feel occasional touching.

2.     Talking with a professor: 

a.      I feel there might be one touch but not all

b.     There could be an occasional touch but not really.

3.     Meeting with your boss:

a.      I don’t think there should be any touching. Maybe a handshake.

b.     There may not be any touching maybe a handshake.

4.     Speaking to a child:

a.      I think there might be the occasional touching because it is a child.

b.     There might be a touch but not really just to say hi.

5.     Talking with your father: 

a.      I feel like there are touching because it is a personal relationship.

b.     There could be touching because it is a personal relationship.

Nonverbals used in host country greetings: 

1.     Meeting with someone of the same age and sex for the first time:

a.      I feel like there is a handshake maybe a kiss on the cheek.

2.     A man greeting his wife at home:

a.      There is a kiss of greeting.

3.     Two professional women meeting for lunch

a.      There is a handshake.

4.     two adult male friends meeting at a bar

a.       a one handed sided hug.

5.     A brother greeting his sister at the airport

a.       There is hugging involved.

6.     A child greeting his father as he arrives home from work

a.      A big hug or a kiss on the cheek.

7.     A young women meeting her boyfriend at the park.

a.      A kiss maybe.

8.     Two women seeing each other at a high school reunion

a.      A hug I would think.

Adjustment Journal

There are at least four periods of adjustment while studying abroad.
There is:
Stage 1: Cultural Euphoria
Stage 2: Cultural Confrontation
Stage 3: Cultural Adjustment
Stage 4: Cultural Adaptation

There are some reflection questions from the readings that I am going to answer. As to understand there are examples of each stage of cultural adaptation. There is a U-chart of how long adjustment may take. In the picture above is a degree of adjustment period.

Eight people commented on their time studying abroad some one month to seven months.

Kristen: The people here are so wonderful. I'm having a great time!
José: They always take so long to complete something that could be accomplished much quicker. It's not very efficient.
Steven: Some days I'm frustrated with my language skills, but then I'll have a conversation where I understand everything and I can see how far I've come.
Kurt: I love it here. I can't imagine being anywhere else!
Amira: It doesn't bother me anymore when people stare at me. I would be curious about the strange-looking foreigner, too, if I were them.
Maggie: I can't believe I'm eating raw fish. I couldn't stomach it when I first arrived.
Gretchen: I can barely stand the smell of the cafeteria. Give me McDonald's any day.
Martin: I feel like when I return to the U.S., a part of me will remain here in this country.

The people seem to be in varying degrees of adjustment.
Kurt could be in stage 1 or stage 4 because each part can be the same reaction to studying abroad. While Steven and Gretchen seem to being going through culture shock. Then there is José is going through homesickness.

It also seems to be that each person has gone through previous adjustments and or are barely getting through with there time. I would say that each person to take it one day at a time there will be days you struggle with everything others that it is the best and having adjusted to the people and culture there.
If one were to study abroad for two months it seems that either they will only get so far into the first stage and slowly getting towards the culture shock. After studying abroad for two months there is not much culture shock just excitement over new experiences. Then there is if one studies abroad for a year going through all four stages until finally adjusting to life there.

Government Structure of Costa Rica

Costa Rican Government  

One of the oldest democracies of Central America established in 1949. The government of Costa Rica is a democratic republic. The people of Costa Rica at the age of 18 have to register to vote. The voter turn-out has been moderately high for the past couple years. The people of Costa Rica can elect two branches of government into office.

In which there are three branches of government. The three branches of government are the executive: 1 president and 2 vice presidents, legislative: voted in by popular vote, and judicial placed by the legislative branch. The elections occur every four years for both the legislative and executive branch. 

Executive Branch

The executive branch is comprised of the president and two vice presidents. All three, run on the same ballot. Every four years a new president is elected. Presidents can run for office again though not consecutively. Presidents may run again after sitting out two consecutive presidential terms. They are elected by popular vote. The president does not have the power to veto legislative budgets. Though it can appoint anyone to the cabinet without the approval of congress. The vice-presidents will lead in the event the president cannot. There are currently 22 Minister positions in the president’s cabinet. It ranges from agriculture to women’s issues. 

Legislative Branch

The legislative branch is unicameral meaning having one chamber or house. There are 57 deputies elected at the same time as the president and vice-presidents for four-year terms as well. Currently in the legislative branch there are seven different political parties represented. There are 17 deputies for the National Liberation Party (Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN)), National Restoration Party (Partido Restauración Nacional (PRN)), with 14 deputies, Citizens Action Party (Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC)). Also there is the Social Christian Unity Party with 9 deputies, National Intergration Party with 4 deputies, Social-Christian Republican Party with 2 deputies, and last the Broad Front with one deputy.  

Judicial Branch 

The judicial branch is the justice system of Costa Rica. There are no juries in the courts just a single judge or several judges in deciding what to do. The highest court is the Supreme Court of Justice the people serving in it are called Magistrates of the Supreme Court. The magistrates serve for eight-year terms appointed by the legislative branch. There are 22 magistrates in the Court. The magistrates continue being in the court unless voted out by 2/3 the vote. The judicial branch has the constitutional chamber reviewing if legislation uphold the laws of the constitution. Also, the executive decrees and all habeas corpus warrants. A habeas corpus being a law were a person petitions the court over the unlawful detention or imprisonment before the court through a prison official.  

Local Government

The local government of Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces that are lead by governors appointed by the president. The provinces are divided then into catones (cantons) then each canton divided into distritos (districts). It is seven provinces, 83 cantons, and 463 districts. The seven provinces are Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas, and San José.

Links and Sources: 

Belgium, Costa Rican Embassy

Costa Rican Embassy Washington D.C.

Facts about Government

Government Costa Rica
Britannica Costa Rica
Definition of Habeas Corpus
CIA World Leaders: Costa Rica

Folklore in Costa Rica

Folklore

I am reading about the folk tales and legends about Costa Rica in order to understand the cultural background of Costa Rica more. Although most of the legends or folklore center on a darker them I went a different path because that is not something that I like. I hate watching or reading anything horror I tend to stay far away from it as much as I can. It took me a while to find a legend that I actually liked and did not seem scary in the slightest. I keep coming up with some very scary legends that I have no intention of reading. It wasn't until I came across a religious legend that was not scary in the slightest and that is what I will write about today. It took me a while to find it not because it is not very well known it is because it is not one of those scary stories that people seem to want to read about more than anything.

La Negrita 

History
Basilica de Los Angeles, Costa Rica

La Negrita appeared to a little girl who was in the woods in the early 17th century. As the story goes the girl came across the statue brought it home and the next day it was gone. When the little girl went back to the place where she found it was there standing. It kept on happening over again even when the little girl told a priest and he took the statue. In the end they decided on building a church for the statue. In 1792 La Negrita became the patroness of Cartago later of Costa Rica in 1824 and still today she is. On August 2 thousands of Costa Ricans flock to Cartago to patronize La Negrita commemorating her on her day. It is said that her healing powers have healed many of the people who come there on a daily. There are many pilgrimages to see the Saint in person. They go their for La Negrita to cure their illness or help them solve a problem that they have had. Many people start as early as July 25 for their pilgrimage walk to see La Negrita on August 2. There are many safety practices in place so everyone is able to participate. It is a long a mountainous journey that many people partake on. It is a 13-mile walk from San Jose to Cartago but there are still others that make the journey from farther away. There are many pilgrims coming from all over the thing being that there are very much putting their fate in the hands of the Virgen hoping she will grant them miracles. There are many that make the trip each and every year in order to get a miracle. By walking and praying they hope to accomplish what medicine cannot do for their illness. Then once one gets there, there are thousands of people in the plaza leading to the cathedral. There is a number of people selling items that relate back to La Negrita, rosaries and holders shaped like La Negrita for holy water. While for many it is a time for healing others it has become a time to take advantage of those in need. In the end this a story of standing up for one believes in.

Links and Sources
Article on La Negrita
Holy Relic
http://www.costaricajourneys.com/la-negrita/
Pilgrimage
Faithful Walk

Food and Non-Verbal Communication

FOOD 

Costa Rican Food

This is a topic that seems great right who does not like food. Well if your going to a whole new country that you have never been to before then one experiences new food. Particularly for me it is a struggle first I ask for something familiar nothing to strange before venturing out into the unknown. One such occasion I heard great things about this food called fried calamari. It was recommended to me while I was in Spain. The thing was that I did not known it was fried squid. So, I tried it did not like it at all but I did try it and that is the fun of trying new things you never know if you will like it until you try it. The thing was since I had braces on and it was to rubbery for me swore me off, of fried calamari for life. Maybe one day I will try it again till then no. Other foods when I hear that something is spicy I refuse to eat it because my mouth cannot handle the spice. Although there are some food that I can handle it all depends all in moderation right. As I have been reading about Costa Rican food there is a lot of rice and beans that pop up I mean I do not mind them but if I do not have to eat them I will not. Then since I am living with a host family the possibility of rice and beans popping up is very much true, so I have to on up to the fact and take it one day at a time. The reason being that every place has a unique way of making their own food, so it may be different then what I am used to. Maybe I’ll end up liking the food.  

The thing was it is hard to make food but I tried my best. I made Horchata which is also a Mexican drink.  I followed this  Horchata recipe just click on the link it will lead you there. There has been newspapers writing about Horchata naming it the drink for the hot summer to cool down. One such place is was in Valencia where the weather was scorching one day and the locals all recommended Horchata sure water to but Horchata also. The way I made it was similar to the Mexican version just without the peanuts so it kind of had a different flavor that I am not use to not bad but still odd.  

The History of Horchata 

Horchata originated in the Yucatán with origins in Guatemala in the Mayan times . The most known Horchata is the sweet drink mostly from Valencia the most common known to the United States is the Mexican version. While the Central American version has other ingredients added to make it. For the most part the common ingredients are rice, cinnamon, sugar, and water. The other ingredients add a more distinct flavor to the drink. 

Sources and Links 

Horchata Recipe

Newspaper Article Cooling Down for the Summer

History

www.latinpost.com/articles/3801/20131116/horchata-the-history-of-the-delicious-beverage-how-to-make-it-at-home.htm 

Non-Verbal Communication 

Ten -Question Quiz

There are many things to note about a culture and people one thing that most people do not realize is that there is non-verbal cues that people give. While one may say that non-verbal 'what does that mean?'. It means that does little things that you might think are not obvious to you but to others they are obvious. While you may think that nodding your head side to side means no everywhere that generally is not the case because each country has there own unique way of saying things. 

There were some questions in Chapter 6 that stood out and made it seem to be the answer to how to figure out what someone means. 

Reflections Questions: 

1. How Universal do you feel emotions are?

 motions in general everyone feels them though one may not necessarily express the emotions the same way as others. In not expressing emotions the same cross-culturally is something that people should get to know because that leads to the response one may want. 

2.  How much space do you need as you interact with others? What types of situational factors make a difference in this answer? How do you defend your "own personal space" when it is threatened? 

I feel that one should be able to be at an arm's distance maybe a little closer but not that close then it is intruding on to others space. The fact is that one has to be able to read a person's cues if they are moving further away from you or getting closer in order to hear you or even if you are invading their space. For me taking a step back is seen as your a little to close. If that does not do it I outright say can you move a little your a little close for comfort. Also it depends on the situation if one is in a club and its a crowd you really do not get that much personal space. 

3. What are important times in your community? 

I really can say in America the holidays are what is important like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. That seems to be the trend were they are the most known also New Years though New Years is  also more global not just an important time in America. Also going somewhere to a meeting it is seen as rude to arrive late one should arrive early. Then there is the type that at parties when I was growing up going late was seen as acceptable but for my mom it was we had to arrive early if not it is rude. That when one arrives early to a party it is up to you to help in whatever needs doing never go late. 

Answer Key: 

As you can see I still have a lot to learn about other cultures not all are the same. I have to make sure that every place that I visit I at least known the general basics to not offend someone by accident.  Every little move that one makes has its own meaning while it may mean nothing to you in another culture it could mean something wildly different.

News In Costa Rica and My Own Culture

Culture 

As I wrote last week about culture it comes to my mind my own culture that I was raised in. I was raised in a Mexican household were traditions hold strong but at the same time I was raised in the United States not in Mexico. I have an immigrant upbringing the first generation, the child of immigrants that moved here from Mexico seeking a better life.


Storti has a chart about the differences between cultures it got my attention more than anything because it shows how many different cultures vary.

This chart shows the differences between the US and Mexico as I have circled above. One can clearly see that there is a big difference between the two cultures they are on opposite sides of the spectrum. What I did was place myself on where I think I fit in between the two cultures because of me being part of the two cultures. 

Here is the second image the X is depicting me as were I see myself.

At times I lean more towards one culture more than the other one because while at home I was raised with the values and beliefs that most Mexicans are brought up in. For myself I went to school in America were I socialized with other students that gave me a different perspective on life. Also as I get older the more that I change while I still hold some of the values and beliefs as before my perspective as given me a different lens in which to see the world. I either moved myself more to become Americanized or even to hold some of the values that I was raised with. 

I want to expand on my reasons on why in some parts of the charts I either lean more one way or the other. 

Concept of Self

I see myself as more in the middle not being an individualist or collectivist it all having to do with were I am at that moment. It all depends on the occasion because in general there are times that I am heavily being a collectivist because I value the relationships that I have with people more than anything else. Then there are times when I am an individualist when I have to make the choice to care about what is going on with me more than anyone else. In having to do things on my own I feel a sense of pride that I accomplished something on my own. 

Personal vs. Societal Responsibility 

In the personal vs. societal responsibility I lean heavily towards my American roots being more of Universalist and less Particular. I feel that people should be treated with fairness in every sense of the word but at the same time I know that is not possible. I know that people should be treated equally but that doesn't mean that people will be expecting that. It is that people that expect fairness each demand that they be treated different then the person next to them. That is something that is should not be expected because in reality even that is not fair.

All in all, I am a person raised in a culture different then any other and everyone is that also because no two people are the same it would be a very boring world if it was. 

Costa Rican News 

I read online news articles about what seems to be relevant to the online newspaper The Tico Times. For the past few days almost a week I have looked at a couple articles that have caught my eye.
Here is an image of what the site looks like.

Here is the website just click the link it will take you there: Tico Times
In the news this past week there has been talks about politics and Nicaragua.
Here are some of the headlines:

As one can see from the headlines the most prominent that caught my eye were of the political changes going on in Costa Rican legislation. Also, how there is a connection to Nicaragua in Costa Rica in connection to what is happening right now with Nicaragua.

The one that can my eye first was that 5 out of 6 leadership positions in legislation are made up of women now. The article takes about the historical implications that the new legislation has created. The new legislators will be part of the 2018-2022 leaders. The person leading will be Carolina Hidalgo. She has been part of Congress since the 2000 she is part of the Citizen Action Party putting an emphasis on the fiscal agenda under her management. Leading in conjunction with her is Vice President of the legislation María Inés Solís part of the Social Christian Unity Party.

The next one that caught my eye was the President-elect unveils a gender balanced multi-party cabinet. Carlos Alvarado is the president elect for Costa Rica the 48th president of Costa Rica.

Then the other article that caught my eye was the vigil that people are holding for Nicaragua at the time. The continued vigils held for the people from Nicaragua. It shows the big relationship that both countries have even though at times it is difficult.

The last article that I looked at was how Evangelicals make up a larger percent of the legislations. It is talking about how many different things are coming up and changing the make up of congress.